I parked outside the grocery store. I was afraid of getting out of the van. This is where all the problems started. This is the place that made me first run away. I tried to take deep breaths and remind myself I was only going grocery shopping, nothing would happen.
It had been a month since I was here last. I did all the shopping I could at the small market on the reservation or had friends pick other necessities up on their trips, but we were getting dangerously low on food for there being a wolf in the house. I looked towards the doors. I knew I could be strong. I couldn't be afraid of a grocery store. I wouldn't be afraid.
I opened the door and grabbed my purse. I shut the door gently behind me and then closed my eyes. It's just grocery shopping. It's just grocery shopping. I opened my eyes and threw my purse in a nearby cart. I walked through the front doors, the cart positioned in front of me like a shield. I breathed in and pulled out my lengthy list.
I walked the store isles placing items in my cart. Something felt different. This place gave me the creeps now. I kept checking around me, thinking I'd see someone standing there. Was I being watched? No. It's just my imagination. This is the place that I ran from Jacob and my mind is just creating things to be afraid of now. I kept saying that as my mantra. I quickly finished up my shopping and headed home.
I pulled into the house and unpacked the groceries. I put everything away then grabbed a rag and started obsessively cleaning off the counters. I couldn't shake the terrible feeling from the grocery store. I needed something to help me calm down. I didn't want to call Jacob, he was at work. I sighed. A shower would probably be best right now. I threw the rag in the sink and walked the hallway to the bathroom.
I slipped out of my clothes and into the steaming water. I rolled my neck letting the water hit my shoulders. I breathed in the hot vapor clearing my head. It felt so good. After my breathing returned to normal I turned off the water. I toweled off and picked out a new outfit to wear.
I strolled to the kitchen and started making dinner.
It was almost finished when I heard Jacob's motorcycle drive in. I put down the spatula and walked to the door to greet him. He opened it before I could get there.
"Hey Bells!"
"I'm glad you're home!" I threw my arms around his neck and he pulled me off the ground.
"Did you miss me?" he laughed.
"Of course. Didn't you miss me?" I asked pretending to be hurt.
He let my feet touch the ground and then thrust his lips to mine. He kissed me with force then dipped me down almost flat.
I clutched at his shoulders and spoke into his lips, "Jake please! I'm going to fall."
He smiled still trying to keep his lips close to mine. "I guess I better make sure that doesn't happen." He then slowly let me down to the plush carpet then lowered himself on top of me.
"What's this for?" He started to kiss down my neck. I closed my eyes and sighed.
His lips brushed against me as he answered, "I want to make sure you know I missed you." I tried hard not to let the edges of my lips turn into a smile, but failed. He noticed and brought his mouth back to mine, kissing my mouth gentle but full of passion. After a few endless moments he deepened the kiss, moaning into my mouth.
His hand started to trail down my blouse flicking buttons open carefully. Somewhere in the background a buzzing sounded. It took me a minute to think through. Dinner. That's the dinner timer.
"Jake?" I whispered into his mouth.
"Hm?" He hummed as he nibbled on my bottom lip.
"That's dinner."
He pulled away and looked me in the eyes. I could see him thinking and then he grinned ear to ear, "It can wait."
He moved to kiss down the opening between the edges of my open shirt, but he had lost his pure passion. He was now trying to tease me.
An inner battle played in my head. I wanted to continue, but dinner would burn. He brushed the edge of my shirt away from my stomach and grazed his tongue across me. That made the decision for me. Dinner loses.
I grabbed his face and brought him back to my lips, thrusting myself at him. I kissed into his teeth when he started laughing. In a second I was kissing air. I looked around and he wasn't anywhere to be seen. Had something happened? Oh no! Vampire!
I sat up and ran to the front door. I swung it wide and yelled, "Jacob!!" I searched the surrounding area and couldn't see him anywhere. I sighed heavily. "Be safe," I whispered as I turned back towards the kitchen.
"OK." I heard as I pummeled into his chest. I screamed and fell backwards before he curled his arms around catching me.
"You jerk." I mumbled smacking his chest softly. He just smirked at me. "You can't just kiss me and then run off without reason!" I pulled out of his arms and pouted at the opposite wall.
"Bells, I had perfect reason. You said dinner was ready. It would have burned if I hadn't rescued it. You were just rolling around on the floor." He moved into my back and wrapped his warm arms around me, hands directly on the barely noticeable bump at my stomach. The heat there was powerful and soothing. He trailed the tip of his nose over my neck and ear. I was losing my anger and felt myself lean my head against his chest. "Am I forgiven then?"
I relented. "I guess so." Then I turned up to smile at his face.
"Ok. Let's go get you some food. It smells incredible!" He walked to the kitchen and I followed behind buttoning back up my shirt. I was going to have to get him back for this.
He prepared our plates then set them on the table while I grabbed some drinks. We ate in silence but kept flashing flirting looks at each other between bites.
Jacob's phone rang in the other room. He moved to go pick it up. I heard him answer. "Hello?........Hey. Anything new?...................Oh, ok. Let me ask her just a sec." He peeked his head back in the kitchen. "Hey Bells Embry says they're planning a bonfire party next weekend. You want to go?"
I smiled. Of course I want to go. "Sure. That would be great Jake."
He turned his attention back to the phone. "Yeah we'll be there………OK. See you later. …Bye."
He came back and finished his meal. I smiled inwardly. A bonfire night would be fun.